![\"Japan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Japan-WRWC-2025-vs-Ireland.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe task in front of Lesley McKenzie\u2019s Japan Sakura 15 is a big one as they start their England Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign against Ireland on Sunday, 24th August at Franklins Gardens in Northampton.<\/p>\n
The Japanese have talked all build-up to the tournament of having a quarterfinal goal, but that means a win first up is essential against the Irish, as the Japanese have only ever won three out of 20 Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup matches. There are currently six places separating Japan from Ireland in the rankings, with Ireland in 5th and Japan in 11th.<\/p>\n
The Japanese have won five from six matches in 2025 and have improved with the addition of experienced coaches such as Mark Bakewell, Berrick Barnes, Simon Middleton and Oliver Richardson.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe\u2019ve been able to provide the necessary intensity, and the players\u2019 understanding and execution have also improved significantly,\u201d said head coach Mackenzie. They lost their final game before heading to England, a 5-33 defeat to the world\u2019s seventh-ranked side, Italy.<\/p>\n
But experienced Sakura 15 Captain Iroha Nagata said ahead of her third RWC tournament, \u201cEvery country has prepared thoroughly for the World Cup, so every match will be a challenge. We have also prepared to be just as good as the other countries. We are preparing in a way that gives us confidence. All that\u2019s left now is to get good results.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland reached the semi-finals of the 2014 tournament and beat New Zealand in last year\u2019s WXV1 (first division).<\/p>\n
Ireland head coach Scott Bemand named Co-captains Sam Monaghan and Edel McMahon to lead the side in Ireland\u2019s opening match.<\/p>\n
The Irish Head coach said of Japan, \u201cThey\u2019re a good team. They\u2019re well disciplined, well organised, strong coaching group, so we\u2019re anticipating seeing some stuff we\u2019ve not seen from them before. Pacy, skilful. We\u2019ve picked a team to get our best game out there.<\/p>\n
We think we\u2019ve got the selection right to begin the game, and we think we\u2019ve got energy and impact to bring on. We want to hit our straps sooner in games. If we can do that, we can get momentum.\u201d<\/p>\n
Irish player Nicole Fowley said of taking on Japan in their opener and of Ireland\u2019s chances at the tournament, \u201cThey\u2019re a very good side, very tricky. They have a nice kicking game as well. So, we\u2019ll just be switched on at all times. We\u2019re just taking the tournament game by game, and in the moment. We\u2019re not listening to the outside media. Focusing on Japan is the goal for this week.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Japan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ireland-WRWC-2025-1.jpg\")
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She said of the impact of the Rugby World Cup will have women\u2019s rugby in Ireland,\u201dThe numbers in Ireland in women\u2019s rugby are just growing year on year, and with the media getting behind us and broadcasting of all the games, it\u2019s there and it\u2019s available at home on TV for girls and boys to watch growing up.<\/p>\n
The more rugby that we can get on screens with younger girls and boys watching it and getting them out to their local clubs, building that pathway into the under-20s and seniors, it\u2019s great.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stacey Flood said of the Sakura 15, \u201cJapan are so diligent. They might not be the biggest team, but they\u2019re so skilful and their kicks are on a T, their passes are on a T, they\u2019re really good jackal threats and I think we know what they\u2019re good at, but it\u2019s also just about bringing back to our squad and what our strengths are and not playing too much to the opposition.<\/p>\n
This is going to be such a major pedestal for women\u2019s rugby, and I think this is going to change the game, this whole tournament, and I think it\u2019s really important to get eyes on that. The fact that we\u2019re on the same time zone, we\u2019re a 45-minute flight away.\u201d<\/p>\n
Assistant coach Larissa Muldoon added of the threat Japan posed, \u201cJapan are a fantastic, ball-focused team and a few key personnel that love to target the ball. We know their kicking threats and their kick to create something with fantastic opportunities across the park. So, we\u2019ve done our homework, but I think it\u2019s all about us now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Clara Munarini (Italy) is the match referee.<\/p>\n
Match Permutations Japan Sakura 15 vs Ireland WRWC 2025<\/p>\n
If the teams draw and Scotland beat Wales by more than 15 points, Japan will enter the top 10 for the first time since the rankings were introduced in February 2016.
\nPoints exchanges are doubled during a Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup, and the Sakura Fifteen will be the higher-ranked team if they win by more than 15 points, with Ireland potentially dropping four places to ninth.
\nIreland can marginally increase their ranking points if they do win.<\/p>\n
Japan Sakura 15 Squad vs Ireland WRWC 2025<\/p>\n
![\"Japan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Japan-WRWC-2025-Squad-vs-Ireland.jpg\")
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Ireland vs Japan Sakura 15 Squad WRWC 2025<\/p>\n
![\"Ireland](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ireland-WRWC-2025-Squad-vs-Japan.jpg\")
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Where to Watch The Women\u2019s Rugby World Cup 2025<\/p>\n